Page 59 of Perfect Alpha

“No, little man, I’m heading home.” Hannah joins us on the porch, and I hug her as well, a Novocain numbness taking over my senses. “Thank you for letting me tag along tonight. Aidan, seeing you in your firefighter costume wasby farthe highlight of myentireevening.”

Cade hisses a breath through his teeth, and Hannah’s gaze flies back and forth between us like a ping-pong ball.

“Victory–” he starts, his voice a dangerous rumble.

“See Auntie Victory tomorrow?” Aidan asks.

Laughter bubbles through the tears I couldn’t stop if a million bucks were up for grabs. “Yes, little man, you bet.”

Cade reaches for me, but I yank my arm away and run full speed back to my parents’ place without looking back.

Chapter 22

Cade

I’manassholesometimes,and Halloween certainly showcased my award-winning talent.

Victory will be pissed I finagled my way into driving her to the airport, but I don’t want her to leave hating me for the hundredth consecutive time. We’ve had more than enough bullshit over the years, and my heart can’t take another beating.

This time, I’m trying to fix it.

Progress.

When I enter the Parker’s kitchen, Victory is arguing with her parents. “If you can’t drive me, I’ll take a taxi before I get in a car withhim. Absolutely not. You’re supposed to love me!”

I’m surprised she’s not stomping her feet.

“Hi, New York,” I drawl, figuring I might as well start strong on my non-asshole goal. Victory won’t even look at me as she digs her cell phone out of her purse.

“Honey, you don’t have to take a taxi,” Kevin assures his daughter. “Your mom and I will cancel our plans tonight.”

“No, no, please don’t do that,” Victory replies in a rush. “I’m happy to take a taxi.”

“You’re not in New York,” Julia reminds her gently. “A taxi is going to take over an hour to get here, and you’ll miss the plane.”

Victory spins to face me, and the hatred burning from her eyes has me reeling as I take a step back. Okay, maybe Ireallyfucked up this time.

She’s looking at me like this situation is my fault. Maybe it is since Iamthe one who gave Kevin and Julia tickets to a show at the community center as a thank you for all their help.

“Don’t you dare speak to me,” Victory snaps.

She hugs her parents and whispers something to them that I can’t hear before she grabs her suitcase and stomps out to the truck.

“This will go well,” I promise with a grin. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

Kevin lets out a low whistle. “Better you than me, buddy.”

I salute them and then chase Victory outside to help her put the oversized suitcase in the truck bed. She rests a hand on my chest and her touch reverberates in my dick. Too bad she pushes me away, lifting the suitcase up and over the edge herself.

“Nice guns.”

Her eyes narrow dangerously. “Vince and I have been spending a lot of time working out together. You’d never think so, but kickboxing is the most amazing foreplay.”

Ouch.

My expression is likely as murderous as the homicidal energy coursing through my veins. Victory completely ignores me and gets into the passenger seat, turning her body toward the window and burying her face in her phone.

Vince must be the guy I saw her kissing, and I definitely should have beaten the shit out of him when I had the chance.

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